Former cabinet minister Mike Bernier named CentreBC leader, positioning party between NDP and Conservatives

Former B.C. education minister Mike Bernier is returning to provincial politics as the new leader of CentreBC, a fledgling party hoping to position itself as a centrist alternative to the NDP and B.C. Conservatives.

Bernier was introduced Saturday at a news conference in Victoria by CentreBC founder Karin Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick, a former B.C. Liberal and B.C. United MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano, launched the party about 15 months ago and stepped down as its leader in June.

“I am stepping up to this role because, like so many British Columbians, the two parties on offer do not represent my values. I am excited to play a part in building a safer, more affordable, and more prosperous B.C.,” Bernier said.

Bernier represented Peace River South from 2013 to 2024, serving under the B.C. Liberal banner before the party was renamed B.C. United. During his time in government, he served as education minister and parliamentary secretary for energy literacy and the environment. In opposition, he was the finance and housing critic.

Before entering provincial politics, he was a Dawson Creek city councillor and later mayor. He has spent more than two decades working in the oil and gas industry and continues to live in Dawson Creek.

“B.C. needs a socially progressive, fiscally responsible choice,” Bernier said. “A government that will promote economic growth while protecting our beautiful province for future generations.”

CentreBC said it is continuing to build the party, recruiting candidates ahead of the next provincial election.

“CentreBC is focused on the things that bring together so many British Columbians, that can bring together a broad coalition of builders and doers, rather than excluding anyone who does not pass a purity test,” Bernier said. “This is what we are building.”

The governing NDP was quick to criticize the appointment, issuing a statement Saturday that tied Bernier to the B.C. Liberal government’s record.

“I’m sure some Conservative-leaning people who can’t stomach (B.C. Conservative Leader) Findlay’s Trump-style approach will find a home with Centre-Right-BC,” NDP MLA Darlene Rotchford said in the statement.

“But many of us remember how Mike Bernier and the B.C. Liberals cut funding for hospitals and schools while giving tax breaks to the richest two per cent and letting speculators drive us into the housing affordability crisis.”

sgrochowski@postmedia.com